Bilateral Spinal Decompression of Lumbar Central Stenosis with the Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Versus Micro surgical Laminotomy Technique: A Prospective, Randomized,Controlled Study

Extensive decompression with laminectomy, where appropriate, is often still described as the method of choice when operating on degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the surgical advantages they offer and the benefits for rehabilitation. One key issue when operating on the spine was the development of instruments to provide sufficient bone resection under continuous visual control. This was achieved by using endoscopes for operations carried out in cases of spinal canal stenosis.

This study of patients with degenerative lumbar central spinal stenosis compares the results of spinal decompression using the full-endoscopic interlaminar technique (FI) with a conventional microsurgical laminotomy technique (MI).

Full citation: Komp, M., Hahn, P., Oezdemir, S., Giannakopoulos, A., Heikenfeld, R., Kasch, R., Merk, H., Godolias, G., Ruetten, S. (2014).Bilateral Spinal Decompression of Lumbar Central Stenosis with the Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Versus Microsurgical Laminotomy Technique: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study. Pain Physician, 2015 Jan-Feb;18(1):61-70. PMID: 25675060.